Sunday, January 17, 2016

First off all, I want to thank those of you who have posted comments & sent emails asking if everything is okay. I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness & concern. I apologize if I haven't responded to you. Life has been difficult in oh so many ways. Sometimes I feel as if I am at the end of my rope.

John is doing well. We are still without our car. Thankfully we have the SUV.

Christmas came & went so quickly. The days & weeks leading up to it were extremely stressful, but the day itself was totally the opposite. Very peaceful & calm. Both John & I agreed that it was one of the best Christmases we've ever had.

I didn't do much in the way of decorating this year. Things were very simple.

This was one of the few times since I was in high school, if not the only time, that I didn't send Christmas cards. I thank those of you who sent cards to me, & gifts as well. If I failed to thank you personally, please accept my thanks here.

The new year has dawned & we are already planning our next move. Of course we have no idea where we are going. I am slowly packing things in preparation. I have been focusing on downsizing. It's a big job. We will be starting to look for another rental home in April. We don't want the nightmare we had trying to find somewhere to live after our house sold, nor do we want the stress of moving at the last minute, so we may end up double renting for a month or two to make things a bit easier on ourselves. We may end up staying in this area. Tennessee is another possibility. We are pretty much open to anything.

I am going to try to get into blogging again. I have various plans for this year, but I will be taking things one step at a time. I believe this is going to be a year of changes. I'm counting on them being good changes.

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comments:

Good to see your post this morning, Shirlee! I love your snow scene picture/graphic in your blog header. Best wishes to you as you begin searching for your next place. Thinking of you; have a blessed day!

It was so good to see your post this morning. I am glad everyone is alright. I know what you mean about being busy. We need to downsize too. It just takes more energy than I have these days. I was absent from blogging for awhile also but am trying to do better at it. I realize how much I enjoyed it.

So glad to see an update Shirlee...I have been sending good thoughts and saying many prayers for you and John. I will continue to keep you in prayer...I'm so glad to hear that your Christmas was a good one, sometimes it takes a pause in life to allow us to stop and take a deep breath, though it's hard to go through...you are so strong and can do anything.I will be looking forward to updates as time allows, but your blog should be the last pressure with all that has been going on.Hugs to John...and to you...and a blessed year ahead...it's going to be a good one, I can feel it!

Oh Shirlee! It's so good to hear from you again. You have been in my prayers and I'm glad you're both doing well. I hope this next move is a smooth one for you and you find a location and a home that suits your wants and needs. Welcome back!

Glad you're back! You are being very wise about down-sizing--we did it this past year and it was HARD work! But are now enjoying the simpler life! It is amazing how much we don't need! I'm challenging myself not to buy anything until I can use it--had so much stuff that I was going to use "someday"! Happy New Streamlined Year!

Good to read John is doing well, Shirlee, but sorry you are still without his car. I guess with you both being retired you can manage with one most of the time... Oh, I can't imagine moving again so quickly--hope you find the perfect spot this time :)

Oh, my dear friend, so glad to read your post, I have been very anxious about you and John. So glad to hear that he is doing better, good luck with the move this year. I am sure that 2016 will be a great year for the two of you. lots of love and hugs, Kaye